You're a homeowner and determined your home's air conditioning needs fixing or needs to be replaced with a newer, more efficient system. You're all set to get moving. What's the optimal way to get a high quality HVAC contractor who will do a good job for a fair price? What could you look for in an air conditioning contractor to obtain this work? Progreso Lakes

Progreso Lakes

Packaged vs Split SystemPackaged System - The entire air conditioning package is assembled at the factory and arrives in a single cabinet unit that's ready to install on the exterior of the home. It can be situated on a concrete slab at a selected point along the building's foundation, or it can be placed on the roof.The package includes a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator coil. Some include electric heating coils or a natural gas furnace, completely eliminating the need for an indoor heat source.The interior ductwork connects to the Packaged Air Conditioning System through an exterior wall.Pros Simplicity of Design - All of the components are in one cabinet. All that's needed is the interior ductwork. Refrigerant - The Package System arrives fully charged. It's set to run on factory settings for peak efficiency. Installation Cost - This type of air conditioner installation is generally less costly because it's less labor intensive. Space Saving - This is a great choice when there's a lack of indoor space for components. Mobile homes and homes that have only a crawl space, for instance. Cons Exposure to Environment - All of the operating controls and electrical elements are located outdoors. If moisture gets into the system, it can create a number of issues. For instance, rusting can occur much faster. Damage From Animals - The operation of the unit produces heat that attracts wildlife seeking a warm place to nest. Animals can chew through the insulation and wiring. This is most apt to be a potential problem in snowy, rainy climates. Less Efficient - The Packaged AC Systems show far less efficiency; the units typically have a SEER rating in the range of 13-15. Split System - A split AC system consists of 3 primary components. A condenser and compressor are housed in a cabinet unit that typically sits on an exterior slab. An evaporator coil is located in an interior cabinet, usually in the attic or inside a closet. An indoor air handler is usually provided by the furnace or a heat pump to push the conditioned air along the ductwork.Pros Ease of Layout - Split air conditioning systems easily accommodate custom layout design configurations; they can utilize down-flow, up-flow or horizontal flow, as needed. Optimum Energy Efficiency - There's a very wide SEER ratings range (13-25) that allows a greater opportunity to own an optimally energy-efficient air conditioning system. Cons Higher Installation Cost - Split Air Conditioner System installation is more labor intense because it requires both interior and exterior work. Important Note: It's usually the most budget-friendly option if there's already a heating system in place and you're installing a new ac unit or replacing one that's inefficient. Refrigerant - Unlike the Central AC Package Systems, the Split AC Systems can't be charged until all of the lines have been connected.

How to Hire a HVAC Contractor

Heating and air-conditioning contractors are busy all year round. Most Americans will install their heating systems in fall, or even during winter. Conversely, when summer is just about the corner, everybody seems to be rushing and buying air-conditioners, to make the indoor living bearable. Retailers know this very well, and year after year, witness the rush of customers spurred into action of the hostile weather.Not surprisingly, specialist shops are waiting for those timely customers, with huge stocks of heating and cooling equipment. Various brands, within a wide price range, so that everybody can afford his or her bit of comfort. Even if the funds are stretched a bit, terms and hire purchase loans are available, at very enticing conditions. Why? Because sellers want you to buy when they're ready, and contractors are waiting to install it for you... at their prices. That's the whole issue here. If you're buying on your terms, you'll save substantial amount of money. How? When you buy out of season, heaters and air conditioners will be dramatically cheaper, because shops will have to get rid of them, to make room for the new stock. It doesn't mean though, going to K-Mart and looking for a large selection of air conditioners and room coolers, just on the first day of winter. What you'll probably find, are just a few units filling in the shelves. It's too late.Timing is everything here. To buy cooling equipment, you need to start looking in the second half of summer, and beginning of fall. Then you'll witness every major retailer putting on huge "Special Sale" signs, and offering their Carrier, Fujitsu, LG, Deakin and other air conditioners at seriously reduced prices. On average, they are 25-45% lower than at the beginning of summer. Even the reverse systems, which can equally be used for heating during the incoming winter, will be reduced.And yes, you've guessed it. Heaters and heating equipment will start rising in prices right from the beginning of fall. They will come down later in the spring, when everybody starts thinking about the hot summer. Although those frequent periods of unseasonal weather can somewhat affect peoples' buying intentions, the rule remains: buy outside of the season and save. More expensive brands are particularly prone to significant price drops, when going out of season. As for the installation services; heating and air conditioning contractors have quiet times, with only a few orders, during the above mentioned periods. Although you'll need them mainly to do those more complicated installations of the split systems, their charges will be about 20-30% lower than during the peak season, where there's a queue of people waiting for the tradesmen services. If your bargaining skills are good enough, you can end up with a quality heating or air-conditioning system installed by a reputable contractor, for about 20-30% less than during the peak time. And that's a saving worth doing some forward planning!